Popular Gorilla Starting Points Or Regions Of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda is subdivided into four areas for better administrative reasons. The Bwindi areas include Buhoma in the North, Ruhija in the East, and Nkuringo and Rushaga in the South. Locally, the word Bwindi means Impenetrable. Indeed, this is the true definition of this Uganda National Park. Bwindi forest is vast, covering about 327 square kilometers of forest and volcanic features. It was hard to offer complete administrative services to the entire Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, so it was partitioned into four areas. 

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When purchasing Bwindi Impenetrable National Park gorilla permits, they are sold according to these areas. This also affects where you book accommodation for your gorilla safari in Bwindi. It is best to overnight within or close to the place where your gorilla permit is secured to avoid circumstances when you have to drive in the night to crossover from one area to another. The way may have obstacles like fallen logs, slippery ground, poor visibility, a puncture, and more.

On the gorilla trekking day in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, tourists gathered at each area's briefing points and later allocated different gorilla families and ranger guides. At least two ranger guides escort a maximum of 8 tourists on each trek, one carrying a rifle and another a machete to help trim protruding vines along the way.

The gorilla families of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are free to move in the wilderness, so it's hard to determine where to find which family. The gorilla family that was close the previous day may be the furthest the next day, making it hard to decide on the easiest gorilla family to trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

At the start of each gorilla trek, the ranger guides follow the trails where the mountain gorillas were seen the previous day. This is because mountain gorillas normally do not move far from where they were the day before. Mountain gorillas' changing location may depend on factors prevailing in the forest, like the proximity of their food, the death of a family member, a fight with an intruding gorilla family, or a family feud, among others.

What are the Gorilla families in each area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

Buhoma area

Even though this is the oldest gorilla safari area in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, three gorilla families are fully habituated and open to public bookings.

The Rushegura gorilla, Mubare Gorilla, and Habinyanja gorilla families are booked for gorilla trekking in the Buhoma area.

Buhoma, the proprietor area of gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda, has gained popularity, so accommodations are more available.

Buhoma accommodations: Gorilla Forest camp, Mahogany Springs, Silverback Lodge, Gorilla Resort, Bwindi View Bandas, lake Kitandara Tented Camp, Engage Lodge, 

Ruhija area

The Ruhija area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies on the Eastern side of the Park. Keen birders find it a fantastic place to visit as this is the prime birding area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Ruhija area gorilla families include Bitukura, Mukisa, Oruzogo, and Kyaguriro.

The road to the Ruhija area of Bwindi may need to be in better condition because the public does not regularly use it, but you must have a 4x4 wheel drive vehicle to go through.

Since Ruhija has limited accommodation choices, one can still spend the night in the Buhoma area since the drive from Buhoma to Ruhija is about one and a half away.

Ruhija accommodations: Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, Ruhija community Rest Camp, Bakiga Lodge, Agandi Lodge

Nkuringo area

The Nkuringo area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in the southern sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This area hosts one of the first gorilla trekking families to be habituated in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park called the Nkuringo family.

Nkuringo area families include Nkuringo, Muhoza and Christmas 

Accommodations in the Nkuringo area can also be shared with the Rushaga area and vice versa 

Nkuringo accommodations: Nkuringo Safari Lodge, Clouds Lodge, Nshongi Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Safari Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Camp

Rushaga area

Rushaga area in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to 8 gorilla trekking families. These families include Oruzogo, Busingye, Kahungye, Rwingi, Mucunguzi, Mishaya, Nshongi.

Rushaga accommodations: Nshongi Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Safari Lodge, Bwindi Backpackers Camp

Note:

Two gorilla habitation experiences are open to the public, and the gorilla permits are available to public bookings. Only four people are allowed to go for the gorilla habituation experience. When you meet the gorilla habituation experience family, you have four hours with them.

These mountain gorillas are semi-habituated, so expect them to show odd behaviors like hiding, hooting, etc.

When Do Gorilla Safaris In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Start?

The official time for starting gorilla safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is about 0730 hours. But you must be at the briefing point in advance. This also explains why you must consider where to book accommodation. 

yIn case you stay overnight in another area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you may have to drive in the dark to catch up with briefing in another area. On the way, you may encounter issues like poor visibility, a vehicle breakdown, and slippery roads, to mention a few.

 However, sometimes, the start of the gorilla trekking adventure may be delayed due to some unforeseen circumstances. You must be ready to start the trek to find the mountain gorillas.

What criteria is used to allocate gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

The criteria used to allocate the mountain gorilla families in Bwindi is hard to determine as age brackets, fitness level, relations, and others are sometimes considered.

You just need to have an open mind no matter which gorilla family you are allocated to. Many tourists normally ask for the easiest Bwindi Forest gorilla family to trek, but it is also hard to determine. The gorilla family that was seen close to the starting point of the gorilla trek the previous day may be the furthest the next day. The departure of the mountain gorillas may be triggered by factors like the death of a family member, attacks from another gorilla family, in case food is exhausted, and so much more.

No matter which gorilla family you are allocated to, the moment you stand face to face with the mountain gorillas is unforgettable. You get mixed feelings when standing before the mountain gorillas because of their intimidating outlook yet shyness. Indeed, gorilla trekking is a dream come true for African safari.

Which is best for gorilla safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

Gorilla safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be booked anytime; however, the dry season is most preferred. This is because the wildlife in the forest is full of life, with mountain gorillas moving closer to the ground. The dry season is usually June to September and December to January.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is known to receive rain without warning, so there is usually high humidity in the forest. The dry season accompanies excitement in the woods as mountain gorillas, other primates, and wild animals move freely.

The trails in the forest are drier, and rivers flow in the same course so you can navigate better. During the severe rainy seasons, the trail conditions in the woods get soggy and slippery when the grass decomposes, and the dense network of rivers overflows. Less sunlight is let through the thick canopy to touch the ground.

Is the Gorilla Safari In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Tiring?

Gorilla safaris are slightly tedious, resulting from hiking to locate the mountain gorillas on the slopes of the volcanic highlands in the forest. The terrain of the Virunga area is affected by volcanic activities, yet sometimes, mountain gorillas may spend part of their day along the slopes.

When planning for the gorilla safaris, you must do pre-tour exercises to keep your muscles fit if required.

The ranger guide follows the pace of the slowest trekker but does not delay the rest because the exact time of finding the mountain gorillas is still being determined.

How Safe Is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park For Gorilla Safaris?

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is safe for gorilla safaris as there are well-trained Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger guides to protect the mountain gorillas, other wildlife, and visitors. This is why one ranger carries a rifle for emergency and another a machete. 

Early in the morning of each day, a team of ranger guides patrols the Park to establish where the gorilla families might have nested and possible hangout spot for the day. They pass this information to the ranger guides leading the tourists. 

Other Uganda security agencies are within and around Bwindi forest to keep law and order in and around this Park.

As a tourist, you must be your first security by only moving in the forest with a ranger guide. Stay closer to the group you are trekking with to be remembered in the woods. Avoid walking around with your precious belongings that may attract the wrong company.

What Are the Rules of Gorilla Safaris In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park?

• No going for gorilla trekking in case you catch a communicable infection like the flu: cough, coronavirus, and others. Mountain gorillas are highly susceptible to human diseases. You may not know how much this infection may kill the mountain gorillas. Conserving them has taken much time and money, to gain this achievement.
• Try not to surround the mountain gorillas when you locate them because this makes them feel ambushed. They are susceptible primates, so you need to follow the advice ranges guides' advice to enjoy every moment.
• Wearing a clean mask before meeting the mountain gorillas is compulsory after the coronavirus outbreak. This is one of the preventive measures to reduce the chances of passing this infection to their endangered primate species.
• If you wish to cough or sneeze, do it away from the mountain gorillas or in a handkerchief to prevent the spreading of germs.
• Spitting on vegetation or soil is forbidden because it may contaminate the food on which the mountain gorillas depend.
• Flash photography is forbidden because this may scare the mountain gorillas. They are susceptible to new occurrences in their vicinity.
• If you wish to take a long call, ask the ranger guide to dig a hole at least 30 centimeters deep and cover everything well beyond recognition. This is to prevent forest dwellers from exhuming what you may have covered.
• Provoking the mountain gorillas is forbidden because they have moods, too. They may get agitated and move into hiding. They are shy and serene creatures in nature but do not test their patience.
• Eating or smoking 300 meters from the gorillas may cause them to move and grab it from you. The mountain gorillas are wild animals that must search for their food and not depend on human provision.
• Tourists ages 15 and above are allowed to do gorilla trekking. This is because of the hardships that come with searching for the gorillas, like the time of locating the gorillas is unknown, the way to the gorillas could be more precise at times, the provocative nature of the mountain gorillas, and much more. A child below this age may not withstand such, so if they make noise, they may cause a stampede in the forest.
• Keep a distance of about 8 meters from the mountain gorillas when you locate them. This reduces the chances of passing an infection to the mountain gorillas. They are highly susceptible to human infectious diseases. Even when they approach, try to move back stealthily.
• Littering the forest or dumping garbage in the woods is forbidden because this alters the nature of the forest where the mountain gorillas feed. They are vegetarian, so leaving indecomposable trash may prevent the growth of plants on which the gorillas and other forest dwellers feed.
• Only one hour is allowed with the mountain gorillas for trekking and four hours for gorilla habituation experience when you locate them.

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